Ossining Election Update: Preference For Department Heads

OSSINING, NY — Ossining voters didn't have any choices for local officeholders, but they did get to weigh in on a topic that has gathered a lot of heat. There were three propositions on the ballot in Ossining about whether to stop electing locals to the offices of highway superintendent, tax receiver and town clerk, and apparently residents like things the way they are.

The town board fought bitterly for years with Highway Superintendent Michael O'Connor, now retired; this idea was first floated then.

Town officials support having an appointed person head the three departments, saying it takes politics out of the job. Other town residents have resisted, saying that appointments would be political anyway and, on a more practical note, that professionals always cost more.

All town voters had the opportunity to decide on town clerk and receiver of taxes. Only residents of the unincorporated area of town could vote on the highway superintendent question.

Meanwhile, incumbent Highway Superintendent Peter J. Connolly was uncontested in his bid for re-election.

According to unofficial results from the Westchester County Board of Elections:

Question: Shall Local Law No. 4 of 2019, which provides that the elective office of the Town Superintendent of Highways be abolished and the duties and responsibilities of the elective Office of Superintendent of Highways be transferred and vested in a newly-created appointive Office of Superintendent of Highways which is appointed by the Town Board, be approved?

• Yes - 384
• No - 913

Question: Shall Local Law No. 5 of 2019, which provides that the elective office of the Town Receiver of Taxes be abolished and the duties and responsibilities of the elective Office of Receiver of Taxes be transferred and vested in a newly-created appointive Office of Receiver of Taxes which is appointed by the Town Board, be approved?

• Yes - 1,874
• No - 3,575

Question: Shall Local Law No. 6 of 2019, which provides that the elective office of the Town Clerk be abolished and the duties and responsibilities of the elective Office of Town Clerk be transferred and vested in a newly-created appointive Office of Town Clerk which is appointed by the Town Board, be approved?

• Yes - 1,790
• No - 3,654